By Matthew Sherry
Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry strengthened England’s position in the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG.
With Australia resuming nine down and 91 behind, hopes were high that the tourists could quickly claim a final scalp.
But Brad Haddin, who struck 65, and Nathan Lyon put on a frustrating 40-run stand before James Anderson had the former caught on the pull to end with figures of 4-67.
Australia were subsequently dismissed for 204, surrendering a 91-run deficit which England were able to extend to 105 by reaching 54 without loss.
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Afternoon Session
England 2nd Innings
2.23am - FIFTY! Cook (60b 7x4 0x6) - Well, Alastair Cook has picked up where he left off - driving Shane Watson for two boundaries through point in an over to move to 50.
2.18am - Mitchell Johnson is on for a burst after lunch. This will be a key period for England to get through.
Morning Session
1.31am - LUNCH! England 54/0; Cook 41, Carberry 5 - England reach the interval unscathed, although Carberry can count himself lucky after an edge off Watson fell just short of slip. The tourists, though, are in a strong position.
1.17am - Carberry gets his first boundary, powerfully cutting Shane Watson through point for four.
A tale of two batsmen at the @MCG at the moment: Cook 35 off 35, Carberry 1 off 36. ENG 0-44 #Ashes
— CA Digital Media (@CricketAus) December 28, 2013
1.05am - Amid his partner's flurry of runs, Carberry has one off 31 deliveries. He will be targeting a big score following a series of unfulfilled starts in this series thus far.
12.52am - Cook continues to prosper via a positive approach as he late-cuts and drives Nathan Lyon to the fence.
Another milestone for Alastair Cook, who becomes the sixth Englishman to reach 8,000 Test runs. Eng 24-0 #ashes#stayup
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) December 28, 2013
A wild Johnson ball down the leg-side races away for four... ENG 0-20 #Ashes
— CA Digital Media (@CricketAus) December 28, 2013
12.37am - Cook is looking in particularly good touch early on, driving Harris down the ground for four.
12.26am - Positive start from Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry as seven runs come from the first over, bowled by Ryan Harris.
Australia 1st Innings
12.13am - WICKET! Haddin c Bairstow b Anderson 65; Australia 204 all out - England secure a 51-run lead as Haddin top-edges an attempted pull and Jonny Bairstow claims a simple catch.
12.08am - They have enjoyed some good fortune but Haddin and Lyon continue to prosper. It's all very frustrating.
Haddin and Lyon continue to frustrate England, who take the new ball. Aus 189-9 #ashes
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) December 28, 2013
11.50am - FIFTY! Haddin (59b 6x4 1x6) - Haddin reaches yet another half-century via a single to mid-on.
And that's double figures for @NathLyon421, a thick outside edge flying over point. AUS 9-180 #Ashes
— CA Digital Media (@CricketAus) December 27, 2013
11.44am - Frustration for England and Anderson as Nathan Lyon edges through the slips and to the boundary.
11.33am - Stuart Broad and James Anderson have been given the first crack. They start with an impressive over apiece, the latter featuring an edged Brad Haddin four that fell just short of first slip.
Pre-Play News
11.26am - Brad Haddin, who's having a fine series and will resume on 43, holds the key for Australia. The hosts are 164 for nine, still 91 behind.
11.15am - Hello and welcome to ecb.co.uk's live coverage of the fourth Ashes Test at Melbourne. The aim for England on day three is simple: grab an early wicket and then get runs, runs and more runs.